Uwharrie Mountain 40 Miler Preview

"Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley." - Theodore Roethke

    I ran the Uwharrie Mountain 40 mile run last year, for the first time. I was fortunate to have the company of my friend Mo with me for the entire race. Our goal was just to finish, which we did, in just under 12 hours. At that point, it was the hardest event I had done. With an additional year of experience and some foolish race choices behind me, this run still ranks in the top three of races you hate to love.
 So I am back for more.

  I am hoping to improve on last year's time somewhat. I will be without the company of Mo, who is focusing her training on the Ironman this year. There are many other friends running, who I will no doubt come face to face with when they reach the turn around ahead of me. This is because the 40 mile runners get to run 20 miles out, turn around and run 20 miles back. The 20 mile race is point to point, along the exact same course. So, when you get to the turnaround at mile 20, you will see happy, relieved people, huddled by a bonfire, celebrating their finish. You, on the other hand, grab some fresh gear, contemplate dropping at 20 miles, then mindlessly head back out to traverse in reverse, as it were.

This, only twice!

 I am feeling a little more confident this year, knowing what I am up against. I have run a little bit since the Weymouth Wooods 100K two weeks ago, and the legs feel good. Now it it time to assemble gear, review logistics and go.

  "It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." - Edmund Hillary

Uwharrie 2012